Team news for Shels game

Sligo Rovers take on Shelbourne in Tolka Park on Friday night in the Airtricity Premier Division.

Rovers return from the mid-season break with 35 points from 17 games played so far.

After the same amount of games played last, the Bit o' Red had just one more point with 36.

Three clean sheets in a row have been kept on the road against Bray, Limerick and Waterford.

Making it four in a row would be a first since the opening four games of the 2011 season against Derry, Bray, Galway and Portadown.

The Bit o' Red are without at least five players for the game.

Anthony Elding is suspended, with Raffaele Cretaro, Evan McMillan and Danny Ventre missing out with injury. Pascal Millien is away on international duty with Haiti.

Lee Lynch trained on the Thursday and a decision on his fitness will be made on match day.

Rovers boss Ian Baraclough said: "I think the break allowed us to get away from football for a small period of time and freshen up and refocus after that few days away. We have come back looking forward to a busy period of games, not just in the league, but in the cups competitions as well. It will be a challenging eight games in just over a month. There are some very tough matches in there. But we will utilise the squad throughout it and we’re looking forward to giving all we can in everything that comes our way.

“I don’t think it will impact Friday’s game in any way. We spoke briefly about the draw on Monday and it was quickly put to bed. All the focus is on three points in Tolka Park. This club wants to be in European competitions every season. That is all we are interested in and our domestic games will determine that. We can’t afford to lose focus from it."

Rovers face three away games in seven days v Shels, Limerick and Cork. The Rovers boss is not fearing the tough schedule in the coming week

He stated: “It gets us out of the house if you like and the small added pressure that comes from being at home. We tend to be very good away from home and have no fears for any game on the road. If we perform to standards we have set previously I’m very confident we will get three points on Friday and take each game on.

“There is some of that new manager syndrome with Johnny McDonnell coming in. I’m sure he will be looking at what he can do in the transfer window and put his stamp on things. I went to see them against Bohemians and he has united them and ready for the task they face for the rest of the season. But we know exactly what we are facing and go into the game in a mindset of targeting a victory.

“Lee Lynch trained on Thursday for the first time since his injury against Limerick last month. I can’t rule him out of some small involvement but we will see. Evan McMillan is getting stronger and stronger after the operation on his knee and Monday night’s game with Limerick in the EA Sports Cup is a possibility. Raffaele Cretaro and Danny Ventre are not yet ready to return.”

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